That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Cubs lose Steele for season needs elbow surgery; Jays Guerrero Jr glad contract issues settled; plus more news

Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele 2025 season is over due needed elbow surgery to repair a flexor tendon. Here Steele pitches to the Texas Rangers in the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field on Mon Apr 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to needed surgery on his left elbow to repair a flexor tendon, according Cubs manager Craig Counsell. It wasn’t know if Steele will need ligament replacement of the Tommy John revision with a internal brace. Steele will be out until the 2026 season.

#2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr is thrilled to be on board with the Toronto Blue Jays after singing a 14 year contract worth $500 million. Guerrero Jr who signed with the Jays last Monday was born in Montreal and his Hall of Fame father Vladimir Sr was born in the Dominican and played for the Montreal Expos. Guerrero signed with the Blue Jays at 16 years old in 2015 and made it to the big leagues in 2019.

#3  Toronto Blue Jays right hand pitcher Max Scherzer will pay a visit to a US specialist due to right thumb soreness. It will be his second to the specialist in the US this week said Jays manager John Schneider on Monday. Scherzer a three time Cy Young Award winner got a cortisone injection for the sore thumb when visited Dr. Thomas Graham on Mar 31st.

#4 Very sad news from the Cincinnati Reds Tommy Helms who was a slick fielding infielder who had won the 1966 National League Rookie of the Year. Helms also managed the Reds for short terms has passed away at age 83. Helms wife told the Reds Hall of Fame that Helms passed away of an unknown cause. Helms played 14 season in 1435 games, he was an All Star 1967 and 68. He won gold gloves in 1970 and 1971 those years Helms played Dave Concepcion and they were considered the best double play combinations in the game.

#5 Amaury check it out two homestands so far for the Sacramento A’s and two of the largest TV market teams have paid a visit to the A’s minor league park Sutter Health Park the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Reports have fans who came from New York saying the space is way too small to accommodate fans, players and media from either of those two markets visiting Sacramento. On the home opener the broadcasts went off the air one time for the A’s and one for the Cubs. During Saturday’s game the cart taking an injured Cub player off he diamond ran out of gas the player had to be assisted off the field.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ex-A’s pitcher Dotel dies from roof collapse; LA’s Ohtani on a roll falls a double short of cycle; plus more news

Former St Louis Cardinal pitcher Octavio Dotel deals in the eighth inning against the Texas Rangers in game 5 of the 2011 World Series on Oct 24, 2011 at the Ballpark in Arlington. Dotel was killed when a roof collapsed on him at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic on Tue Apr 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Octavio Dotel a former Oakland A’s pitcher and who pitched in the Major Leagues for 13 different team pitched for 15 years and had won a world championship for the St Louis Cardinals died today when a roof collapsed at a nightclub in Octavio’s native Dominican Republic. Dotel was attending a merengue concert. Dotel was 51. Dotel pitched for Oakland during the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

#2 Nothing can wrong for the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, he’s on his way back to pitching again and his throwing sessions have looked good. His hitting hasn’t lost a step on Monday night he missed the cycle by needing just a double.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays have to be relieved and thrilled to have signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr to a 14 year $500 million. So far Guerrero is hitting .279, has four RBIs and 12 hits. No doubt this is the signing that both the Jays and Vlad Jr had been waiting on.

#4 Albert Suarez the Baltimore Orioles reliever was moved to the 60 day IL due to a shoulder issue the Orioles announced on Monday. Suarez a right hander has pitched in only one game when he threw for 2 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 28th. O’s manager Brandon Hyde said Suarez could be out for months and that it’s unfortunate news.

#5  Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli got tossed for arguing a pitched that was called for a clock violation. Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson was pitching against the Kansas City Royals when umpire Nic Lentz called the violation. There were two out in the sixth when Richardson stepped off the pitchers mound and was tapping his ear trying to indicate that he couldn’t hear his PitchCom. Lentz then ruled the pitch clock had run out and called a ball. Baldelli argued he wanted time out to have Richardson’s PitchCom earphone checked and Lentz was not having it and tossed Baldelli.

#6 Amaury, it was a pitchers duel between the Cincinnati Reds Hunter Greene and the San Francisco Giants Logan Webb. Greene was one out away in the last of the ninth from a complete game but none the less got the win and got a shutout against one of the most potent line ups in baseball defeat San Francisco 2-0. Greene had given up four hits.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Headline Sports with Charlie O podcast: Yankees Cole rocked in 2 2/3 innings with sore elbow; Tigers Urquidy hoping to make comeback this season; plus more news

Former Houston Astro Jose Urquidy is signed to a $1 million deal that includes a one year option with the Detroit Tigers for the 2025 season. Urquidy has had Tommy surgery twice and is on the 60 day IL and hopes to make a return to baseball with the Tiger this season. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole who has a sore elbow had imaging done on his right elbow and the Yankees expect to know more about his elbow in two more days. Cole 34, pitched on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins and was lit up for six runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings of work. Cole said in the post game presser he felt alright but the elbow was sore after the game.

#2 The Detroit Tigers signed right hand pitcher Jose Urquidy that includes a one year option for 2026 to a $1 million one year deal. Urquidy is 30 and had Tommy John surgery back on Jun 5th. Urquidy also had his first Tommy John in 2017. Urquidy was placed on the 60 day IL and it’s a question on when he will return. Urquidy last pitched in 2023 and went 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA.

#3 One of the scary things about spring training is that one of your highest paid players could down with an injury and miss significant time. The Atlanta Braves Jurickson Profar is hoping that won’t be the case he had to leave Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after jamming his left wrist when he landed on his left arm. X-rays proved negative and the Braves said Profar will go further testing.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr said that his contract proposal was significantly lower than New York Mets Juan Soto and was less than $600 million. Guerrero said that he and the Blue Jays failed to secure an extended contract before the start of spring training. Guerrero is eligible to enter the free agency market this November. Guerrero is in his last season of his contract with the Jays.

#5 Two Major League teams two minor league parks. How much of a mistake is this on the decision of MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to allow this to happen or did Manfred do the right thing with no choice but to have the Sacramento A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays play in minor league parks for the interim?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Andruw Jones may miss Hall of Fame again; Ichiro looks to be a shoo in for Hall; plus more news

Former Atlanta Brave Andruw Jones was honored by the Braves at Truist Park in Cobb County GA on Sat Sep 9, 2023. Jones who won ten gold gloves has missed being elected to the Hall of Fame but just over the number needed for induction in 2025. Those numbers could fall off with other candidates vying to get elected to the Hall. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amuary News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Hall of Fame choices former Brave Andruw Jones might fall short for election this year again. Jones fell by three percent last year and this year Jones is polled at 72.6% good enough to make but it was reported that when the final results came in Jones fell short. According to an ESPN article Jones staying in the big leagues too long when he should have retired at his peak. His numbers faltered and that brought his chances down to make the Hall. Jones career hit .254, 1933 hits, 434 home runs, 1289 RBIs.

#2 Former Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki is expected to be a 100% shoo in and a unanimous choice to make the Hall. Ichiro’s career numbers hitting an average .311, 3089 hits, 117 home runs, 780 RBIs.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays and Anthony Santander have reached a five year agreement worth $90 million. Santander gives the Jays one of the big leagues best hitters. Santander 30 who played for the Orioles showcased an outstanding 2024 season with a .506 slugging percentage, 44 home runs, 102 RBIs, with 25 doubles in 155 games.

#4 The Boston Red Sox are in the lead in the Vladimir Guerrero Jr sweepstakes if the Jays opt to trade him. Guerrero hit a whopping .323, with 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and 199 hits in 2024. The San Francisco Giants were in the rumor mill willing to pay Guerrero $333 million and trade pitcher Camilo Doval and infielder Marco Luciano for Guerrero’s services. The Red Sox have upped that offer and it’s expected that Guerrero would get an offer as high as $427 million when he enters free agency.

#5 The Los Angeles Dodgers are unstoppable they just signed Tanner Scott who pitched for the San Diego Padres and had 22 saves, had a 1.75 ERA, with 84 strike outs. The Dodgers and Scott agreed on a four year $72 million deal. Scott would get a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million deferred payments. The Dodgers are almost flawless at this point.

Amuary Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Commanders shock football world knocking out Lions; SF Giants working on getting Jays Guerrero Jr in 3 player deal; plus more news

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is on the way with a keeper runs past the Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurlike (91) in the second half in the NFC Divisional game at Ford Field in Detroit Sat Jan 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, are the Washington Commanders that underdog, under rated team and going through their post season portfolio, they won their first round of the playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back on Dec 29th in overtime and advanced to face the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. The Commanders shocked not only the nation’s capital but the country with a shocking 45-31 win over the Super Bowl favored Detroit Lions. With the loss the Lions will not appear in the Super Bowl for 59 seasons.

# 2 The Kansas City Chiefs have never lost a AFC Divisional game and the Houston Texans have never won one. The case was the same on Saturday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw to Travis Kelce seven times for 117 yards and and a touchdown as the Chiefs took out the Texans 23-14 to advance to the AFC Championship.

#3 Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is said to be courting Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be the front runner for the head coaching opening at the Raiders. There is very little doubt that Brady and other NFL teams will be reaching out to Johnson knowing the success he’s had with the Lions offense.

#4 The San Francisco Giants are rumored to be working a three player blockbuster deal to obtain Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for reliever Camilo Doval, infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano, and outfielder James Tibbs III. The Jays have not been able to seal a deal with Guerrero and the Giants are said to be willing to break the bank and spend $333 to $426 million to get Guerrero who might be San Francisco’s ticket to get to the post season.

#5 The Athletics are hoping to develop Japanese 18 year old two way player Shotaro Morii and were able to bypass the Japanese professional league getting Morii for a minor league signing bonus of $1,510,500. Morii will become the sixth A’s Japanese player and the fifth Japanese born player joining Shintaro Fujinami, Hideki Okajima, Hideki Okjima, Akinori Iwamura, Keiichi Yabu, Hideki Matsui and American Born Japanese catcher Kurt Suzuki.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Charlie O: All games will not be sell outs in Sacramento; Jays sign Guerrero Jr for $28.5 million for one year; plus more news

Sutter Health Park the interim home of the Sacramento A’s between 2025-2027 is sold out of season tickets. Each home game is expected to be sold out for 2025 with a capacity of 14,000. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 The incoming Sacramento A’s have announced they have sold out all their season tickets for their first interim year in Sacramento. Sutter Health Field where the Athletics will play is expected to be sold out for every game this season.

#2 When the A’s move to Las Vegas the A’s are hoping that will be the same goal sell outs for every single home game when they move there for their target date 2028.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr have come to an agreement avoiding salary arbitration when Guerrero had agreed on a $28.5 million one year deal. Guerrero hit .323, 199 hits, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs.

#4 The Houston Astros are relieved to reach a deal with left hand pitcher Framber Valdez in a contract worth $18 million for one season. Valdez was 15-7 with an ERA 2.91 last season. The Astros were hoping to hold onto some of their key pitchers going into the 2025 season.

#5 Major League Baseball has banned the two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts when Betts was reaching over into the first base stands at Yankees Stadium for a pop foul. One fan pried open his glove with the ball in it and the other tried to hold onto Betts right hand when he was resisting the two fans trying to get the baseball. For their trouble the two fans Austin Capobianco and John P Hansen have been banned from all MLB events and game indefinitely according to MLB.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Yankees Grisham silences critics with 3 run homer; Will Blue Jays be sellers with Guerrero? plus more news

New York Yankees Aaron Judge (left) celebrates Trent Grisham’s (12) 3 run home run in the top of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sun Jun 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 New York Yankees fans chanted “We want Soto” when Trent Grisham made his third plate appearance at Yankee Stadium and Grisham who was batting in the five hole with a .086 average clouted one into the right field seats for a three run home run changing those chants around. Grisham was filling in for the injured Juan Soto who is out with forearm inflammation.

#2 Amaury, there’s been talk about the Toronto Blue Jays being sellers and they could deal a very sought after Vladimir Guerrero Jr whose hitting .292, with 73 hits, 7 home runs, and 30 RBIs. You got to see Guerrero over the weekend in a three game series in Oakland there is little doubt he could help a club?

#3 Amaury, talk about the Texas Rangers Marcus Semien who led off in the first on Sunday but got beaned in the helmet by San Francisco Giants pitcher Keaton Winn. Semien was glad he was alright came up in his at bat and hit his 11th home run of the season.

#4 Amaury, you wrote this week that the WNBA’s face of the league star player from the Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark who was not selected by the US Olympics women’s basketball team due to a lack of experience. In your view is there more to that why Clark was not selected to the Olympic team.

#5 Amaury, the WNBA just had it’s highest TV ratings in 26 with the most recently watched and most attended games when the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Chicago Sky, have increased viewership with 138% with young girls watching, and huge increases when Hispanic and Black audiences were watching.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Titus Wilkinson: Mantle jersey and card combine for $9.2 million at auction; Jays Guerrero out with sore finger; plus more news

This 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie card was valued at $12.6 million as the most expensive card paid at a sports card show on Sun Aug 28, 2022 graded at 9.2. Another 1952 topps Mantle card sold for $4.5 million this week and was graded at 9.0 (AP News photo)

On MLB The Show podcast with Titus:

#1 Just recently auctioned baseball memorabilia a Mickey Mantle 1958 home game worn jersey sold for $4.68 million which went for double the previous Mantle jersey. A Mantle 1952 Topps rookie baseball card sold for $4.5 million. The total take for both sales $9.2 million.

#2 Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero is badly missed by the Jays with a finger injury. Guerrero left Sunday’s after middle finger soreness against the Cincinnati Reds. Guerrero had trouble swinging the bat and was losing his grip and had to sit in the fourth inning. Guerrero is day to day.

#3 Los Angeles Angels two way star Shohei Ohtani who hit a grand slam and the Angels had a triple play still lost the game 9-6 last Saturday. The Angels got clobbered on Saturday in the second game of a double header 18-4. The Angels have lost six of their last ten games. This situation isn’t improving as the Angels have lost six of their last ten and their post season hopes dim. Ohtani will go shopping in the off season most likely.

#4 The Oakland A’s have selected their construction company who will build their new ballpark in Las Vegas Mortensen-McCarthy. Mortensen-McCarthy is the same construction company that built Allegiant Stadium. The A’s plan to build the 30,000 park on nine acres with a retractable roof at the Tropicana hotel at a cost of $1.5 billion.

#5 Triple cancelation due to Hurricane Hilary games in Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Diego were moved to doubleheaders on Saturday and all games in the Southland were canceled due to the tropical storm and flash flooding. The Angels were rained out once again on Monday night and return to action on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds at the Big A.

Titus Wilkinson is a staff writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB All-Star Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeats Randy Arozarena 25-23 in MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

The Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr waves to the T Mobile Field crowd in Seattle during the 2023 All Star Game Home Run Derby during introductions. Guerrero Jr was the winner for this year’s home run derby on Mon Jul 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, better known as the most anticipated baseball event of the summer, got underway at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez, also known as J-Rod, was especially popular with the crowd in Seattle. Julio Rodríguez lost in the finals against then-Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto last summer but he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby.

Other sluggers included Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García.

Bracket
#1 Luis Robert Jr. vs. #8 Adley Rutschman
#4 Adolis García vs. #5 Randy Arozarena
#6 Mookie Betts vs. #3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#7 Pete Alonso vs. #2 Julio Rodríguez

Round 1
Arozarena defeated García 24-17.

Robert Jr. defeated Rutschman 28-27.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Betts 26-11.

Rodríguez defeated Alonso 41-21.

Round 2
Arozarena defeated Robert Jr. 35-22.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Rodríguez 21-20.

Final
Guerrero Jr. defeated Arozarena 25-23.

Up Next
The American League and the National League will battle each other in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: LeBron will think it over about retirement; Rogers says Jets is like a dream job; plus much more

LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers says he not sure if he will retire from basketball skipped the Lakers practice facility press conference on Tue May 23, 2023 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers were swept in four games by the Denver Nuggets and eliminated from the 2023 post season. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers future Hall of Famer and star LeBron James did not show up for the Lakers practice facility the day after the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. All players on the Lakers were present and accounted for except LeBron who said he’s taking time off to consider whether he will retire or not.

#2 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers is having a great time with his new team but sat out of practice on Tuesday due to a minor calf muscle strain. Rogers is no doubt enjoying being on the Jets saying it’s like a “dream” so far.

#3 Jessica it looks as if Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers are the top contenders for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job. Nurse has also been mentioned as a top candidate for the Milwaukee Bucks head coach vacancy. The Suns are looking to fill former head coach Monty Williams’ position after he was fired for losing to the Denver Nuggets who are in the NBA Finals.

#4 The Tampa Bay Rays entered Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays as the team that has given up the fewest runs in the American League that all changed when the Jays bombarded the Rays 20-1. The one laugher was when the Jays Vladimir Guerrero struck out against a position player outfielder Luke Raley who pitched in the eighth and Guerrero returned to the dugout laughing. The game was a laugher too for the Jays.

#5 The Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada have reached a loose agreement that reduces the State’s tax credit debt to less than $195 million and for Clark County to pay less than $200 million less than the $395 million needed toward building a ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip’s Tropicana property. Previously the State were going to kick in $100 to 195 million toward the tax credits. Once an agreement is in place.

Jessica does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com